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January 2015, Vol. 1 Issue 20
World Salsa Champion
Rep. Longoria recognizes EEHS grad for title On Friday, December 19th, Representative Oscar Longoria had the distinct honor of presenting Maritza Rodriguez, a 1999 graduate of Edcouch-Elsa High School, with a resolution honoring her recent win of the World Salsa Championship title in Miami Florida on December 13, 2014 in the Salsa Ladies Couples - Same Gender Division with her dance partner Diana Ramirez from Tijuana Mexico. They placed 1st against competitors from Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Colombia, and Japan at the 5th Annual World Latin Dance Cup competition. “It is wonderful to have young leaders like Maritza go out and accomplish their goals and dreams,” said Representative Longoria, Texas House District 35. “She was able to represent the United States, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley on the world stage. Her accomplishment is definitely a good Representative Oscar Longoria presents Maritza Rodriguez, a 1999 graduate of Edcouch-Elsa, with a resolution in example to our children of how her honor for winning the World Salsa Championship title in Miami. Rodriguez is the daughter Fernando and Irma hard work and determination go Rodriguez grandaughter of Esperanza Rodriguez. hand-in-hand when striving to cities in the United States, she has expand her repertoire. the internationally known Andres accomplish a dream.” acquired a deep understanding She began her dance education Giraldo (Salsa Y Control) in BosMaritza Rodriguez is one of the of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and with Casino Rueda taught by the ton, MA. After moving to Dallas, top performers and instructors of Cha-Cha-Cha, which allowed MIT Casino Rueda team, and TX she joined the professional latin dancing in the state of OklaSee SALSA pg. 5 her to advance professionally and salsa with Jamnastics taught by homa. Having performed in major
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Let’s make 2015 a better place for all
H
appy New Year! My daughter and I were at home and we shouted to each other Happy New Years in midnight followed by kisses and hugs! Hope your New Year’s celebration was full of good cheer. My parent resolution is to start cooking! And healthy of course My Business resolution is to exceed 5,000 fans on Facebook My Alderwomen position in the City of Edcouch Resolution is to unite resources from schools and cities from the community to create positive change in my Delta Area. I hope that all of you can focus on one resolution by answering the question “what can and should we do to make our community a better place for all in 2015?” Recognize that there are small issues and large, and that concrete, realistic goals creates action and progress. I’ve seen these Community conversations produce action already, and know good things come from trying. Please call your local school district and city to get informed about committees and meetings. Get involved to make your hometown a better place. Hugs Everyone! Wishing you Success in your life, Rina Diane Castillo Owner
January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20 Staff & Contributors Rina Diane Castillo CEO/Editor in Chief (956) 292-1590 Reanna Rodriguez Account Executive Irma Ayala Writer Oscar Gonzalez Jr. Designer DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION • 5,000 copies distributed bi-weekly • Available FREE at numerous locations through the Delta Area/Raymondville ADVERTISING OPTIONS
EDCOUCH DEDICATES STREET
The City of Edcouch Council members approved to name the corner of adkins and Montgomery St., Fraire Street. On December 27, the Fraire Family and friends gathered to see the street sign being put up by City of Edcouch Staff. Filimon Fraire, 67 became a new angel in heaven June 10, 2003. Prior to settling in Edcouch, he was a lifelong resident of Weslaco. Mr. Fraire, faithfully pursued his passion of carpentry, owning Fraire Construction for over 30 years. He skillfully completed various projects throughout the Rio Grande Valley. In his last moments of consciousness, his commitment to the satisfaction of his clients, was uncanny as he urgently engaged his employees and demanded a prompt and quality completion of his latest project with Rio Farms of Weslaco. Filimon also served as City Inspector for the City of Edcouch, where he excelled at enforcing building codes to insure the safety of the community thru his immense knowledge of the construction industry. Among his many endeavors, Filimon proudly contributed to the design and completion of the City of Edcouch City Hall. An avid hunter and fisherman, he took advantage of quite times by actively engaging in his favorite pastime with friends and family.
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January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20 Page 3
Grand Opening: Laguna Point Recreation Park at Port Mansfield
This project was a collaborative effort between the county, the navigation district, the state and the federal government. It is for the enjoyment and recreation of all the people of Willacy County and the Rio Grande Valley.
Happy New Year! Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner A.C. Cuellar Jr. would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year in 2015.
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VFW POST OF ELSA CHRISTMAS PARADE
GOLDEN BEE | Pumpkin Patch
The VFW Post of Elsa, Texas, with Commander Lupita Perez, was the EE Rotary Christmas Parade Grand Marshall. The parade was a success with 23 floats entries and the largest participation from the Delta Area communities since the parade had its beginnings. The Edcouch-Elsa Rotary would like to thank all the delta areas communities and the area Superintendents of Edcouch-Elsa , La Villa and Monte Alto for their support and participation. First place Trophy went to LBJ Elementary and it is the second straight year that LBJ has won this award. There were two floats that tied for second place. College Bound La Villa CISD float tied with Ybarra Middle school . We also would like to thank the cities of Edcouch, Elsa , La Villa, and the community of Monte Alto for their participation. We hope that next year , the Christmas Parade will grow in entries and in the fellowship of the Christmas Spirit.
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January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20
STC branch for Delta region proposed By DAVID A. DÍAZ Legislativemedia@aol.com Legislation proposing the creation of a South Texas College branch campus in the Delta Region of Hidalgo County, with the proposed site to be located in Elsa or Edcouch, has been introduced by Rep. Terry Canales, DEdinburg, whose House District 40 includes Elsa. House Bill 382, prefiled on Tuesday, November 25, does not request any STC tax increase to achieve its goal. The Texas Legislature returns to work at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 13, for its five-month regular session. “South Texas College, which receives significant funding from all property taxpayers in Hidalgo and Starr counties, has an obligation to bring higher education opportunities and invest more of its resources in communities, such as in the Delta Region, which would most benefit from seeing a STC facility in its own backyard,” said Canales, whose House District 40 features portions or all of Edinburg, Elsa, Faysville, La Blanca, Linn, Lópezville, McAllen, Pharr, San Carlos and Weslaco. The proposal comes as Rio Grande City, McAllen, and Weslaco are set to reap the benefits of a $159 million bond election that was narrowly approved in early November 2013 by voters in Hidalgo and Starr counties. STC, which was created in the early 1990s as a result of Senate Bill 251 by Sen.Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, and Rep. Roberto Gutiérrez, D-McAllen, serves Hidalgo and Starr County. In addition to Canales, Rep. Óscar Longoria, D-La Joya, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito, Rep. Ryan Guillén, D-Rio Grande City, Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, and Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, are on the record in support of the STC campus in the Delta Region. The Edinburg City Council and the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court earlier in 2014 also passed separate resolutions supporting the establishment of an STC campus in the Delta Region. In addition to Canales, Lucio is on record supporting the Delta Region proposal, along with Rep. Óscar Longoria, D-La Joya, Rep.
Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito, Rep. Ryan Guillén, D-Rio Grande City, Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, and Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes. Hinojosa and Longoria also had addressed the STC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, March 25 in support of the new branch campus. “We outlined a proposal that would benefit the people in the Delta Region. The presentation included statistical data from the U.S. Census Bureau highlighting population pockets within our district and their needs,” said Hinojosa. “During the presentation, trustees heard well-formulated plans to create a STC satellite campus in the Delta region. With a college anchored in the Delta Region, students from surrounding communities such as La Blanca, San Carlos, Hargil, Faysville, Linn, San Manuel and Puerto Rico will also have the opportunity to attend a campus that is more accessible.” The Delta Region communities are connected by East State Highway 107 between Edinburg and Weslaco. Although Weslaco has the STC Mid-Valley Campus, located about a dozen miles away from Edcouch and Elsa, that site is land-locked with limited space to expand, the state representative reflected. “The Pecan Campus, which is the northernmost campus of STC, leaves huge areas of Hidalgo County with long commutes to
attend classes,” Canales said. “A STC campus in the Delta Region would be able to expand in order to serve not only the students from the Delta Region but also from Edinburg and for future students from northern Hidalgo County, where much of our population increases will occur in the coming years.” Hinojosa, the founding president of the STC Board of Trustees, noted how other major community college systems in Texas strive to bring campuses physically closer to their citizens. “This type of investment in higher education has proven successful in many places. Recently, Austin Community College announced it would build its 11th college campus. In some cases, these campuses are a mere three miles apart,” Hinojosa said. He reassured STC leaders that in addition to the local property tax support already provided by Delta Region citizens for STC, area leaders are willing and able to provide additional resources. “Never during our (March 25, 2014) presentation was there mention that money from the recent STC school bond should or would be used to fund this proposed higher education project,” Hinojosa said. “In fact, EdcouchElsa representatives have offered many incentives to make this proposal as inexpensive as possible.” The congressman said the economic and educational impact of a STC campus in the Delta Region would benefit all residents of Hidalgo and Starr counties. “An investment in higher education raises the level of educa-
tional attainment, plus it encourages businesses to expand in the Delta. If the plan to bring STC to the Delta region is realized, I believe this will revitalize the area economically, an area that is showing economic promise,” Hinojosa said. According to STC: South Texas College features the Pecan Campus in McAllen, Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco and Starr County Campus in Rio Grande City, which offer traditional college programs. The Nursing Allied Health Campus and the Technology Campus in McAllen provide specialized training for students entering the workforce. In addition, STC has Workforce Training Centers at the Technology Campus and the Mid-Valley and Starr County campuses. According to STC, the November 5, 2013 bond election, which featured two propositions, will have the following impact: Proposition 1 authorized the issuance of $159 million in bonds for construction and equipping of college buildings. It passed with a vote of 11,642 to 9,503. The $159,028,940 million in bonds will be used to pay for the construction and equipping of 564,548 sq. ft. of new classrooms, science and health care teaching labs, and technical training facilities at all STC locations. Renovation of some existing space, parking lots, roadways and infrastructure are included. The new funding from the bond election will be used for existing campuses, but also includes $4 million for a public safety facility in Pharr.
January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20 Page 5 SALSA from pg. 1
CARLOS TRUAN MIDDLE SCHOOL DIA DE CULTURA
dance company Salsa Passion directed by the famous Joel Dominguez (NYC) and Jessica Cantu. “This has been a dream of mine for such a long time,” said Maritza Rodriguez. “I’ve been in love with dancing ever since I can remember and it has always been an important part of my life, but having just won this title, I can’t even put into words how much this really means to me. I hope to be able to encourage students here in the Rio Grande Valley and from my own community in Edcouch-Elsa ISD that they can accomplish their dreams.” Maritza’s stage name is Salsa Maritza, she co-founded the Latin Dance Club at the University of Oklahoma and created the professional dance team Explosion Salsera. She is currently the director of a new Amateur dance team Chispa Salsera. In 2012, she began directing Alma Oklahoma, a franchise team by Alma Latina Dance Company. Alma Latina Dance Company is based in Tijuana, Mexico and holds several World Champion titles in Salsa and Bachata dancing. Maritza was born in Texas surrounded by latin music and social dancing. She acquired a structural understanding of music through piano playing starting at the age of 4, and later learned to play the trombone by the age of 12. In high school, she co-captained her nationally ranked high school cheerleading team and was also a member of her local All-Star Cheerleading team. Maritza graduated from MIT in 2003 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and earned a Masters in Bioengineering from UT Southwest Dallas, she is currently a PhD Candidate in BioEngineering at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Raymondville High School Lady Kats Soccer Team for the 2014-2015 Season.
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January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20
Angels in Heaven Irene E. Maldonado Irene E. Maldonado, 78, entered into eternal peace on December 15, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Edinburg, Texas on March 7, 1936 to Guadalupe and Matilde Espinoza. As a migrant farmworker her family traveled back and forth yearly to Dimmit, Texas where her family later settled. It was in December 1956 that she married the love of her life, Noe Maldonado and together raised 4 children. They were very active members of Sacred Heart Church, Marriage Encounter and the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano. A lifelong resident of Elsa, she dedicated her life to her husband and children. She was a faithful Catholic, who was a true testament to her children of God’s eternal love. She was a loving mother who demonstrated every act of love as one of great affection and faith to God. She was her children’s first teacher of prayer and devotion to God, always assuring that our faith was relentless. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Noelia and a brother Jesus Espinoza. She is survived by 5 siblings; Wences Espinoza of Otis Oregon, Elida Muniz of Kalamazoo Michigan, Ninfa McConnell
Maria de la Luz Rodriguez Maria de la Luz Rodriguez, 91, entered eternal rest Monday, December 22, 2014. Maria was born on January 30, 1923 to Julian and Bernabe Romero. She is preceded in death by her husband, Luz Rodriguez, son Guadalupe, parents, 6 brothers, grandson Salvador Castellanos, Jr. and grand-daughter Tricia Lee Rodriguez. She is survived by her sons Edelmiro (Yolanda) Rodriguez of Edinburg, Mario (Rosalinda) Rodriguez
of Amarillo, Texas, Juanita Espinoza of Jacksonville Alabama, Maria Elena Bamberg of Pearl Mississippi, her children Oscar Maldonado, Norma (Natividad Jr) Govea, Rolando (Tonja) Maldonado, and Nora (Ramon) Resendez, 7 grandchildren George Aaron Garcia, Andrea Maldonado, George Jacob Garcia, Diandrea Michelle Maldonado, George Isaac Garcia, Karen Alicia Maldonado, Jesus Rolando Maldonado and 1 great grandchild Emile Noah Cisneros. Serving as Pallbearers were Rolando Maldonado. The Maldonado family are eternally grateful to San Juanita Garcia who took care of her and her husband for the past 4 years and treated them like her own parents, and to the awesome staff of San Juan Nursing Home who provided a loving and faith filled environment for the last 5 months of her life. Visitation was held at Guerra Funeral Home in Elsa on December 17, 2014 with Holy Rosary. Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church in Elsa on December 18, 2014 at 10am. Internment followed to Highland Memorial in Weslaco.
of Angelton, Jose Oscar (Irma) Rodriguez and Armando (Connie) Rodriguez from Pearland and daughters Adalia (Salvador) Castellanos, San Juanita Rodriguez, Rosie (Reynaldo) Lopez all of Elsa, also surviving are 30 grandchildren, 28 greatgrandchildren and 2 great-greatgrandchildren. Visitation was held, December 24, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service was held on Friday, December 26, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsa burial followed to Palm Valley Memorial Park in Pharr, TX. Guerra Funeral HomeElsa was in charge of services.
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Jose Eloy Garza Jose Eloy Garza, born November 16, 1946 in Elsa, Texas to Gilberto Garza and Eva Canales Garza, passed away December 03, 2014 at Arbor View Rehabilitation and Nursing facility in Edinburg. Eloy graduated from Edcouch-Elsa HS in 1966 and Pan American College in 1970 with a double major in History and government. He lived in Elsa his entire life and worked for the Edcouch-Elsa ISD for 31 years as an Educator. He served his community proudly as an Elsa City Commissioner, E-E School Board trustee, ACCEDC Board member, Lions Club member, and Delta Area Civic Organization member. In addition, Eloy was a humanitarian and regularly donated to many charities and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Elsa. He will be remembered by all for his passion for 2 football teams, the Edcouch-Elsa YellowJackets and University of Texas Longhorns. Eloy missed less than 20 Yellow-Jackets games since
1957 and started listening to Texas games by radio as far back as 1950. Eloy is survived by his brother, Alberto Acuna, sister Guillermina (Jorge) Gutierrez, nieces/nephews, Vanessa (Arturo) Cantu, Amanda (Nick) Dubberly, Elyse Acuna, Xavier Acuna, Noe Acuna and best friend of 26 years Lydia Gonzalez Eloy was proceded in death by his parents, brother Efrain Acuna, nephew Jorge Rolando Gutierrez and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Pallbearers were Homero Garza, Jesus Flores, Eduardo Bazan, Israel Medrano, Jorge Salinas and Armando Salinas. Honorary pallbearers were Roy Salinas, Salvador Garza, Gabriel Perez, Cesar Salinas, Ernesto Salinas, Rene Salinas and students of Edcouch-Elsa. Our sincerest appreciation to the employees of Amara Hospice and Arbor View. Rosary was held Friday, December 05, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at Guerra Funeral Home-Elsa. Funeral mass was held Saturday, December 06, 2014 at Sacred Heart Church in Elsa. Burial followed to Anahuac Community Cemetery in Edcouch. Guerra Funeral Home of Elsa was in charge of arrangements.
January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20 Page 7
Christmas Toy Giveaway
THE GOLDEN BEE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Josefina C. Vasquez Josefina C. Vasquez, 92, entered eternal rest December 02, 2014. Josefina was born on November 08, 1922 to Jose and Alejandrina Cavazos. She is preceded in death by her husband, Santos Vasquez, parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. She is survived by her sons Santos Marin (Victoria, Carlos (Josefina), Abelardo (Alicia), Gilberto, Arturo (Maria), and Juan Manuel (Rosa Belia) Vasquez), Daughters, Maria If your’re car or truck doesn’t wear the Rodriguez Star...
Bertha (Pedro Adan) Loza, Josefina Velma Perez and Belen (Espiridion, Jr.+) Guzman also surviving are 47 Grandchildren and 107 Great-Grandchildren and 31 Great-great grandchildren. Visitation and prayer service was held Wednesday, December 03, 2014. Chapel service was held Thursday, December 04, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Burial followed to Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Weslaco, TX. Guerra Funeral HomeElsa was in charge of services.
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January 2014, Vol. 1 Issue 20
THANK YOU To those men and women who served our country in both war and peace time, we are forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made to keep this great country among the world’s finest. Some of you came back, some didn’t, but whether you made the greatest sacrifice or sacrificed your life, we humbly thank you for your loyalty to this country’s citizens, this great nation, and the meaning of the word Freedom. Again, Thank You.
V.F.W. Post 7473 Sgt. Benito Alanis Elsa, Texas